XRP Ledger’s Batch Amendment Could Struggle to Gain Support Amid Complexity, Developer Warns

• Batch bundles multiple transactions into a single atomic unit

• Supports multiple signers for different inner transactions, enabling complex atomic swaps and coordinated multi-step flows

• Current consensus support: 68.57% (24 validators for, 11 against) — still below the 80% activation threshold (source: xrpscan)

XRP Ledger Batch (XLS-56) on devnet: atomic multi-transaction bundles, multi-signer support, and 68.57% validator backing — read how it works and next steps.

By COINOTAG — Publication date: 2025-10-16. Updated: 2025-10-16

What is XRP Ledger Batch (XLS-56)?

XRP Ledger Batch (XLS-56) is an amendment that enables multiple transactions to be grouped into one atomic Batch, so inner transactions succeed or fail together. It introduces the ability for different inner transactions to require different signers, expanding the ledger’s support for coordinated multi-party flows and advanced atomic swaps.

How does XLS-56 Batch work and what are its capabilities?

At a technical level, Batch packages a set of inner transactions that are processed together: either all inner transactions apply, or none do, preserving atomicity. The amendment modifies signing, hashing and encoding rules to permit multiple signers to sign different inner transactions within the same Batch. This design allows for coordinated cross-party operations such as multi-step swaps without intermediate state exposure.

Developer Wietse Wind, who has been testing the feature on devnet, states he spent significant time “understanding how it works on a signing, hashing and encoding level” and highlights the potential for atomic swaps with multiple signers involved. Wind cautioned that limited examples and documentation may hinder adoption and validator support.

Batch adoption status and validator support

The Batch amendment is currently on devnet and has not reached the activation threshold. According to xrpscan data, Batch has 68.57% support among voting validators, with 24 validators voting for and 11 against. Activation requires an 80% vote in favor and then a continuous two-week period maintaining that 80% threshold before the amendment locks in.

Wind warned that difficulty in understanding or using Batch may slow or prevent it from reaching the required consensus: “How is it then possible that 24 validators vote on Batch? Because I can guarantee at least 20 of them have no clue how to sign for multiple inner Batch transactions,” he said. He urged testers and implementers to publish examples, test suites and tutorials to reduce friction and avoid what he described as “Yolo voting.”

Practical implications for developers and validators

Developers will need to update signing libraries and client tooling to support Batch encoding and multi-signer workflows. Validators and node operators should evaluate test cases and sample code to fully understand the implications for transaction validation and consensus. Because Batch changes core signing and hashing semantics, careful testing in devnet and comprehensive documentation will be critical to safe adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Batch (XLS-56) already active on the XRP Ledger?

Not yet. Batch is on devnet and currently at 68.57% validator support, below the 80% threshold required for activation. If support reaches 80%, the amendment must hold that threshold for two continuous weeks to become active. (Source: xrpscan)

How can developers sign inner transactions inside a Batch?

Inner transactions in a Batch use modified signing and hashing rules so different signers can sign distinct inner transactions. Developers should consult official XRPL technical notes and testnets, rebuild signing libraries to follow XLS-56 encoding, and run comprehensive test cases to ensure correct multi-signer behavior.

Key Takeaways

• Atomic multi-transaction capability: Batch groups multiple transactions so they succeed or fail together, enabling safer coordinated flows.
• Multi-signer support: Different inner transactions can require different signers, opening possibilities for atomic swaps and collaborative operations.
• Adoption hinge: Batch is at 68.57% validator support; documentation, examples, and testing are essential to reach the 80% activation threshold.

Conclusion

The XRP Ledger Batch amendment (XLS-56) introduces meaningful advances in atomic transaction processing and multi-signer workflows, but it remains in devnet until validators reach and sustain the 80% consensus threshold. For safe and timely adoption, implementers must prioritize clear examples, test suites and updated signing libraries — COINOTAG will monitor developments and publish updates as Batch progresses toward activation.

Sources (plain text): xrpscan, statements from XRP Ledger developer Wietse Wind, XRP Ledger developer documentation and devnet test results.